Production of shikonin derivatives by cell suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon

Abstract

A two-layer culture method was established that uses an organic solvent to remove shikonin derivatives produced on cell surfaces during the culture of suspension cells of Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Some paraffins and a fatty acid ester made suitable solvents, whereas olefins and aromatic solvents extensively inhibited the production of shikonin derivatives. The yield of derivatives increased with an increase in the carbon chain length of the n-paraffin used as the solvent and when the oxygen supply was sufficient it reached the value found for the ordinary culture method.

Shikonin production and secretion by hairy root cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon

“…In addition the growth of the hairy roots was enhanced by the two layer culture system (almost doubled growth and tripled shikonin production). These observations are in contrast to those of Deno et al (1987). In cell suspension cultures of L. erythrorhizon only the same amount of shikonin was produced and the cell growth was decreased with the addition of liquid paraffin.…”

“…These naphthoquinone pigments possess antibacterial activity and stimulate the formation of granulation tissue, which makes them useful in medicinal and cosmetic applications. Production of shikonin in high yield from callus and cell suspension cultures has been reported by several researchers (Deno et al 1987;Fujita et al 1983 and ref. cited therein).…”

“…lc), while in the normal roots shikonin derivatives were found only in the periderm (Tsukada and Tabata 1984). Deno et al (1987) reported the production of shikonin by cell suspension cultures in two layer culture systems. We applied this culture method to the hairy roots.…”

“…However, the production of shikonin derivatives in cell suspension cultures requires two different kinds of media, one for cell growth and one for shikonin production. An addition problem is that shikonin particle produced by cultured cells are located between the plasma membrane and the cell wall (Tsukada and Tabata 1984), and they may inhibit the growth and further shikonin production (Deno et al 1987).…”

Increased shikonin production by hairy roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon in two phase bubble column reactor

“…Shikonin is the most successful plant secondary metabohte produced in large scale by cell suspension culture (Fujita and Tabata, 1987). Shikonin production by cell suspension culture in two-phase systems was reported by Deno et al (1987). Kim and Chang (1990) were able to enhance shikonin production by employing in sifu e&-action and cell immobilization.…”